Mike Smith had been Za'Darius Smith's position coach for three seasons, including two Pro Bowl years, in Green Bay. When Kevin O'Connell added Mike Smith to his coaching staff in late February, it made the Vikings an obvious fit for Za'Darius Smith should Green Bay cut him loose for salary cap reasons after he lost most of his 2021 season to back surgery.
The Packers released Za'Darius Smith on March 14. He had reportedly agreed to a four-year, $35 million deal to return to the Ravens, his first NFL team, but never signed it. The Vikings seized their opportunity to pair Smith with Danielle Hunter, giving him a three-year, $42 million deal on March 22.